Scooter construction



Dec. 31, 1946. w. w. TAYLOR SCOOTER CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 7, 1944 M40444 WZZYLOB,

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

' withstand rough usage.

Patented Dec. 31, 1946 51 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SCOOTER CONSTRUCTION William W. Taylor, San Marino, Calif. Application November 7, 1944, Serial N0. 562,319

' Claims. 1

This invention has to do with childrens vehicles of the scooter type comprising a base carrying forward and rear pairs of wheels and a post at the forward end of the base, and has for its general purpose to improve such vehicles in several important respects concerning both their structure and operating characteristics.

One major object is to provide a novel base and post construction giving the vehicle desirable light weight, and yet great strength that will This purpose is served by forming preferably both the base and post with an interfitting channel construction rendering the vehicle capable of economical manufacture without sacrificing the essential qualities of lightness and strength.

The invention further contemplates a novel association of the wheel mountings with relation to the top and bottom base channels, in accordance with which the mountings are attached in concealed locations to the underside of the top channel beyond the ends of the lower channel.

Another object is to provide a simple form of wheel mounting whereby the wheel pairs are caused to turn horizontally in response to lateral tilting of the base, and in this manner enable the vehicle to turn on different radii determined simple by the degree of inclination given the vehicle by the rider.

The various features and objects of the invention will be fully understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view showing the vehicle in perspective;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-section on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig, 3 is a fragmentary section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a cross-section on line 4-4 of Fig 3.

In its general form and construction, the vehicle comprises an elongated base l0 carrying forward and rear pairs of wheels H and I2, and a post structure l3 at the forward end of the base. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the base In is formed as a light-weight, rigid unit comprising a full length upper channel [4 with depending side flanges l5, and a bottom channel It received and interfitting within the upper channel. As will be understood, the two channels may be welded or otherwise secured together at suitable locations to form, in effect, a double-channel beam. As 11- lustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the lower channel it terminates at distances from the ends of channel 2 l4 sufficient to accommodate the wheel mountings, generally indicated at IT, and permit their application directly to the under surface of the top channel.

The post structure [3 comprises a forward channel I8 which overlaps and is welded at l9 to the side flanges l5 and channel [4. Received and interfitting within channel I8 is a rear channel 20, the bottom portion of which is turned at 2|, see Fig, 3, for welding or other attachment to the top surface of channel [4. The post carries at its upper end a transverse handlebar 22 held in place by a metal strap 23 secured by screws 24 to the two channels.

As previously indicated, the wheels are mounted at I! in a manner such that the individual wheel pairs are caused to turn horizontally on the road surface in response to lateral tilting of the base and post assembly. As illustrative of a simple and effective mounting construction, the latter is shown to comprise a bracket 25 secured at 26 and 21 to the channel l4 carrying a pin 28 positioned in the vertical plane of the base axis and inclined longitudinally thereof, substantially as illustrated. The wheels 29 rotate on axle 30 which is attached at 3| to a yoke 32 pivotally carried by the pin 28.

By virtue of the angular position of the pin 28 on which the wheel and yoke assembly turns, lateral tilting of the base to the left or right, produces respectively left or right turning of the-pair of wheels. Accordingly, the rider, in order to turn the vehicle in an arc, has only to throw his weight to one side or the other of a balanced position, and obviously, the greater the lateral tilting of the base, the sharper will be the turns eifected by the wheels.

I claim:

1. A scooter-type Vehicle comprising top and bottom interfitting channels forming a base, said channels being reversely positioned with their side flanges interengaged, forward and rear pairs of wheels connected to the under side of said top channel beyond the ends of the bottom channel, and a post at the forward end of the base.

2. A scooter-type vehicle comprising top and bottom interfitting channels forming a base, said channels being reversely positioned with their side flanges interengaged, forward and rear pairs of wheels connected to the under side of said top channel beyond the ends of the bottom channel, the side flanges of said top channel depending below the top portions of said wheels, and a post bottom interfitting channels forming a base, said channels being reversely positioned with their side flanges flatly interengaged, front and rear interfitting channels forming a post at the forward end of the base, the last mentioned channels being reversely positioned with their side flanges flatly interengaged, said top channel extending beyond said rear channel and being attached to saidv forward channel and @said rear channel being attached to said top channel, and front and rear pairs of Wheels connected to said base.

4. A scooter-type vehicle comprising top and bottom interfitting channels forming -a base, said channels being reversely positioned with their side flanges flatly interengaged, front and rear interfitting channels forming .a post at the forward end of the base, the last mentionedchan- 4 nels being reversely positioned with the side flanges flatly interengaged, and front and rear pairs of wheels connected to the underside of said top channel beyond the ends of said bottom channel.

5. A scooter-type vehicle of the character described, comprising top and bottom reversely positioned interfltting channels forming a base, forward and rear .pairs of wheels connected to the underside of said top channel beyond the ends of the bottom channel, and a pair of reversely positioned interfitting channels attached to and forming a hollow post at the forward end of said base,-the side flanges of one of the last mentioned channels being in overlapping relation with the side flanges of said top channel.

WILLIAM W. TAYLOR. 

